Here is a wonderful wintery science experiment that could potentially become a tree ornament for next year's tree.
You need 3 Tbsps of Borax for 1 cup of boiling water, a wide mouthed jar and some pipe cleaners.
1. Make a snowflake shape with your pipe cleaners.
2. Make sure snowflake fits in jar.
3. Fill jar with boiling water and add Borax. Stir to dissolve.
4. Hang snowflake in the jar.
5. Go play. Come back later to observe.
Be amazed that there are crystals growing on your pipe cleaner snowflake!
A word of advice: if you want your snowflake to maintain its snowflake appearance, do not leave it in the jar too long or you will have so many crystals, it no longer resembles a snowflake.
Observe snowflake through the magnifying glass.
Observe other crystals (salt and sugar) through the magnifying glass.
Did you know that every crystal has a different shape, and that this shape is maintained regardless of size?
Here is more information and directions on how to make sugar crystals (we tried, but it didn't work - I must have not put enough sugar).
The original idea came from the Martha Stewart website.
I saw this on Chasing Cheerios and thought it looked so interesting! Thank you for the reminder - I'll have to try it with James soon!
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat idea. I was thinking of growing crystals, but I kind of feel that it's something that Anna is too young to comprehend. On the other hand... so pretty. LOL
ReplyDeleteHow very cool. I need to remember this for when we study jewels in a little bit.
ReplyDeleteAnd I finally figured out why I was missing your posts. I had somehow unsubscribed, but thought I still was because I was reading another blog with bear in their name. Mystery solved, and now I'm happily reading your posts again.
We made some Borax snowflakes last spring. I hung them in the windows. Eventually though, they drop off little bits of Borax, so you have to watch that children don't get to them, and eat them. Yours turned out very pretty.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen that before. VERY cool! I am loving all of your science post. I am taking notes!
ReplyDeleteWell have to try this, thanks!
ReplyDeletewow your snowflake accumulated a lot, so cool! I didn't realize it would get like that if you leave it longer, maybe I'll try that next time just for fun :)
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